Michael? You figure Michael was beginning his psyche-job or knows something about running the NBA postseason gauntlet that Orlando doesn't - or both.

Whatever, Jordan's words are spoken like a true veteran of championship campaigns. Chances are he will deliver on the promise he made to Chicago Bulls' fans at a recent function, knocking Orlando out of the playoffs in Round 2.

The Magic are well aware of Jordan's boast. His statement in newsprint - ''Orlando is not a problem'' - reached the club's locker room bulletin board. Unfortunately, I doubt the Magic can do anything to make Michael eat his words, tongue and all.

Michael makes the Bulls a scary X factor. He has changed the postseason landscape in an Eastern Conference tournament whose teams - in contrast to the West - are more workmanlike than wondrous.

It says here that after ousting the Boston Celtics in the opening round, Orlando will watch its wonderful season be cut short by Jordan.

Blame it on the baseball strike, Magic fans. Perhaps Jordan would be still trying to solve the mysteries of the curve ball had owners and players made peace earlier. But now Michael is back, and the Charlotte Hornets can't be pleased, either, with their series against the Bulls starting Friday in the Beehive.

Jordan is going to come between the Hornets and Magic. And that's too bad for Orlando.

I could have seen the Magic winning the best-of-seven series against the Hornets in the O-rena comfort zone, then advancing to lose the East finals against the deep front lines of the Knicks or Pacers.

Now I see the Hornets losing to the Bulls the same way I see the Magic losing to the Bulls.

Jordan erases the home-court advantage, which is slightly overrated and nullified by experienced teams in the playoffs anyway.

This is again bad for Orlando. The only thing that keeps the Magic's dream propped up is home-court security. Their last road victory came March 31 at Utah. But you have to win out of town to be a contender. Even Houston went 5-5 last year to claim a title.

Oh, I hear you, Magic fans: What about Orlando's victory at Chicago on March 24 when the Magic spoiled Michael's homecoming?

Answer: That was then, this is now.

That was the regular season, this is the postseason. If that game in Chitown had any carryover effect, why did Orlando lose eight of nine on the road since then?

Jordan wasn't quite Jordan when the Magic visited, either. Michael was deferring to the Bulls, and the Bulls were deferring to Michael. Chicago went 13-4 while he got in shape. Nobody wants to face a motivated Michael. But it is more than his ability to raise the intensity level that weighs heavily against Orlando.

The Bulls - even what's left of them from their three-peat days: Jordan, Scottie Pippen and B.J. Armstrong - have been through this drill. Playoff experience can't be discounted. Teams such as the Bulls know how to kick it into overdrive, especially on defense.

The Magic look unsure and lost on defense, as if success has softened instead of toughened them. A late-season fade indicates they still have a short-attention span, even though they have the piece the Bulls miss in Jordan's ''Back4More'' quest: Horace Grant.

Grant has three rings and a lot of war stories to tell. But Horace was a follower in Jordan's supporting cast. Taking an active leadership role with the Magic is new for Horace, too. He can only rebound and preach so much in the playoffs.

For the Magic, especially Shaq and Penny Hardaway, they must go through the trials again to acquire the mental toughness of the Bulls, Knicks and Pacers. A title for the Magic is coming, but first you have to get your heart broken a few times before going the distance. Ask Detroit and Chicago.